WHFA Calls for Retailer of the Year Nominations

Furniture World Magazine

The Western Home Furnishings Association(WHFA) announced that they are now accepting nominations for the selection of their annual Retailer of the Year Award. The Retailer of the Year Award is given to a retailer who embodies excellence by going the extra step in making a difference in their business, their community and within the industry. Candidates may be nominated by any active member of the home furnishings industry, WHFA members as well as WHFA sponsoring manufacturers and suppliers, the Home Furnishings Representatives Association and the industry trade press. Nominees may also nominate themselves for consideration. “For our company, this special recognition allowed all of our employees, along with Phil (Linder) and I, to simply be proud of what we've built and to bask in the tremendous honor we feel at being a part of this industry,” said Eric Foucrier, WHFA 2007 Retailer of the Year Award Winner and Owner of Linder's Furniture, RoomsExpress and Legacy Furniture. "Receiving the honor of the 2007 Retailer of the Year award was one of the proudest moments I've ever experienced. From the moment we realized we had been nominated by our peers to the memories of celebrating the accomplishment with our entire organization, I was humbled by the magnitude of what this achievement meant,” said Foucrier. Eligibility for nominees is determined by three guidelines: Nominees must be stocking dealers or employed by a store that is selling furniture to the consumer on a day-to-day basis, a WHFA member in good standing and the WHFA President, First Vice President and Executive Committee Chairperson are ineligible for nomination and will remain so until two years after completion of their terms as President. “I have always believed that our industry has treated my family and I very well over the years, and this award, for me, was about recognizing that my company and my employees had been able to give back to our industry,” said Howard Haimsohn, President Lawrance Furniture, WHFA 2001 Retailer of the Year Award Winner. The winner will receive their award at the Retailer of the Year Gala Celebration on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 from 6:45-10:00 p.m. at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona as part of the WHFA’s all-new 2008 Conference & Expo. To nominate, view past recipients, hear from previous winners, or learn complete details on award criteria, eligibility and nominating guidelines visit www.WHFA.org or call WHFA at 800-422-3778 for more information. Take part in a respected WHFA tradition and nominate now!